SPEC SHEET · FL · ELECTRICIAN
Florida electrician license requirements
The answer
Florida has no statewide journeyman electrician license — journeyman cards are issued by counties. The statewide credential is the DBPR Certified Electrical Contractor (EC): pass the exam and prove one of five statutory experience routes (s. 489.511, F.S.), e.g. 3 years of management experience or 6 years of combined training and supervision.Your paths to the license
3 years management experience
Within the last 6 years: at least 3 years of proven management experience in the trade — or the educational equivalent (education may cover at most half). Then pass the certification exam.
4 years as supervisor or contractor
Within the last 8 years: at least 4 years as a supervisor or contractor in the trade (or 4 years supervising electrical work in the U.S. Armed Forces). A supervisor must be able to perform the technical duties of the trade without supervision.
6 years combined training and experience
Within the last 12 years: 6 years of comprehensive training, technical education, or supervisory experience with an electrical contracting business (or equivalent military/government experience) — or any combination of the routes totaling 6 years.
Endorsement from another state (10-year licensees)
Held a valid electrical contracting license in another state for at least 10 years? Florida grants licensure by endorsement (apply while the license is active or within 2 years), plus a 2-hour Florida Building Code course. Shorter-tenured licensees apply through the normal exam routes.
License levels in Florida
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman electrician (county) | Issued by county/local licensing boards, not the state — requirements vary by county. | — |
| Registered Electrical Contractor (ER) | Local competency card registered with DBPR; may contract only in the issuing jurisdictions. | — |
| Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) | Statewide license: exam + statutory experience; contract anywhere in Florida. | $263.25 |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Certified EC exam application | $263.25 |
| Computer-based exam (to vendor) | $123.75 |
The exam
| Provider | Florida DBPR Bureau of Testing (computer-based, via vendor) |
| Passing | Set by board rule |
| Fees | $263.25 exam application (DBPR) + $123.75 exam fee paid to the vendor |
| Notes | After three failed attempts the board may require additional coursework before you can retest. |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: No exam reciprocity — but 10-year out-of-state electrical contractors qualify for licensure by ENDORSEMENT under s. 489.511(5)(c), F.S. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Certified/registered licenses expire August 31 of even years; renewal requires 14 classroom hours of board-approved continuing education (including laws & rules, workers' comp, workplace safety and false-alarm prevention components).
Watch out: To work as an EMPLOYEE electrician you generally need a county journeyman card (or work under supervision per local rules) — check your county's licensing board. · The EC license also requires insurance and financial-responsibility showing at licensure (initial license step).
Official sources for this page
Florida electrician licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed electrician in Florida?
Florida has no statewide journeyman electrician license — journeyman cards are issued by counties. The statewide credential is the DBPR Certified Electrical Contractor (EC): pass the exam and prove one of five statutory experience routes (s. 489.511, F.S.), e.g. 3 years of management experience or 6 years of combined training and supervision.
What does the Florida electrician license cost?
Published fees: Certified EC exam application $263.25 · Computer-based exam (to vendor) $123.75. Exam-vendor fees may be extra — see the sources below.
Does Florida have electrician license reciprocity?
No exam reciprocity — but 10-year out-of-state electrical contractors qualify for licensure by ENDORSEMENT under s. 489.511(5)(c), F.S.
How often does the license renew and how much continuing education is required?
Certified/registered licenses expire August 31 of even years; renewal requires 14 classroom hours of board-approved continuing education (including laws & rules, workers' comp, workplace safety and false-alarm prevention components).
Get your personal route
Four questions — your experience and training matched against Florida's actual routes.